Florida Gov. DeSantis touts 'law and order,' signs Gabby Petito domestic violence bill

Ana Goñi-Lessan, Tallahassee Democrat
A makeshift memorial dedicated to Gabby Petito is set up near City Hall in North Port, Fla.
A makeshift memorial dedicated to Gabby Petito is set up near City Hall in North Port, Fla.

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed five bills Wednesday that strengthen penalties for crimes against children, increase oversight of sex offenders, and create a "domestic violence lethality" assessment for first responders – a bill pushed by the southwest Florida family of the late Gabby Petito.

"People should just know that we are forthrightly committed. Whatever we need to do to maintain Florida as the best place to raise kids, we're going to do it," DeSantis said at the Urban StillHouse Restaurant and Bar in St. Petersburg. "We're going to make sure that we keep the bad guys at bay."

DeSantis signed "Child Exploitation Offenses (HB 1545)," "Online Sting Operations Grant Program (HB 1131)," "Sexual Predators and Sexual Offenders (HB 1235)," "Protection of Children and Victims of Crime (SB 1224)," and "Offenses Involving Children" (HB 305).

Gov. Ron DeSantis gives brief remarks at the end of the 2024 Florida Legislative Session on Friday, March 8, 2024.
Gov. Ron DeSantis gives brief remarks at the end of the 2024 Florida Legislative Session on Friday, March 8, 2024.

Petito's family pushed for SB 1224, which will create a statewide domestic violence lethality assessment. Law enforcement officers who respond to domestic violence incidents will determine whether a domestic violence victim is at a higher risk of death or serious injury.

Petito, who lived in North Port with fiance Brian Laundrie, was a 22-year-old travel vlogger. Laundrie reportedly killed her while on a cross-country road trip in 2021. Her disappearance fueled intense interest across the nation and spurred a search for Laundrie, who later died by suicide.

"Gabby's father, Joe, has been supporting and pushing for the language in the legislation, as well as other members of the family and the foundation. Today, we honor those efforts by making this the law of the land in the state of Florida," DeSantis said.

SB 1224 also establishes the Fostering Prosperity grant program, which will connect youth aging out of the foster care system to trade school opportunities, help them prepare for college and provide financial literacy instruction.

Joe and Tara Petito, father and stepmother of Gabby Petito who was killed last year while on a cross-country van trip with her fiancé Brian Laundrie, made a stop at the new SafeSpace shelter in Vero Beach on Friday, Jan. 7, 2022. The Petitos also presented a check to SafeSpace for $15,000 from the Gabby Petito Foundation to held aid SafeSpace continue their mission of sheltering victims of domestic violence.

“Our residents and law enforcement should have every tool to prevent these terrible people from ever having the opportunity of taking advantage of children. Parents in Florida can rest easier knowing that their children are safe and protected," said Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Director Dave Kerner.

Here's what the other legislation DeSantis OK'd provides for:

  • HB 1545 will create a new offense on the books in Florida, harmful communication to a minor, a third degree felony. It also increases penalties for child exploitation crimes, such as promoting sexual performances or possessing child pornography.

  • HB 1131 earmarks money to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to facilitate sting operations targeting online predators who may commit crimes against children. "Florida will be our very own grant program 'To Catch a Predator,'" DeSantis said at the bill signing.

  • HB 1235 will create stricter registration guidelines for sexual offenders and predators, increasing oversight of residences and requiring offenders and predators to register temporary and transient housing addresses, including house boats and cars. It will also require international travel to be reported ahead of time and make it more difficult to qualify for registration removal.

  • HB 305 increases the maximum age to 17 for a hearsay exception in cases of child abuse, neglect or sexual abuse of a child. This means an out-of-court statement is admissible for evidence in court. It also requires someone to register as a sexual predator if they are convicted of a crime relating to human trafficking for commercial sexual activity where the victim is a minor.

DeSantis also took time at the lectern after signing the bills to talk about inflation and rising prices, blaming "Bidenomics" while criticizing the president's initiative to forgive student loans.

"Maybe stop spending so much money up there," DeSantis said.

And the governor hinted at more public safety bill signings this week: "We're proud of being a law and order state," he said.

Ana Goñi-Lessan, state watchdog reporter for the USA TODAY Network – Florida, can be reached at agonilessan@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: DeSantis touts 'law and order,' signs bill inspired by Gabby Petito

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